Dishes · Drinks · Cocktails
The piña colada, and the two men who claim it
Piña colada means strained pineapple, and Puerto Rico made it its official drink in 1978.
Cantina Rooftop
Drinks
Cocktails
- Piña Colada$18
Tanduay gold rum, Coco López & pineapple purée
- La Dama$18
- Lychee Martini$18
- Zamora Espresso-o Martini$18
Please tell your server about any food allergies.
Who made it first
Who invented it is still a fight. A San Juan hotel bartender is said to have made it in 1954, and another San Juan bar claims 1963. What everyone agrees on is that canned cream of coconut made it possible. A University of Puerto Rico professor, Ramón López Irizarry, worked out a better way to extract it in the 1950s, and Coco López is still the label.
Most people picture it blended with ice, though shaken versions exist. It's sweet, so it suits salty food: chips and salsa or fried pork. One is usually enough.
The rum on ours is Tanduay gold, with Coco López and pineapple purée. The menu doesn't say whether it's blended or shaken.
Keep reading
Piña Colada: questions
What does piña colada mean?
Strained pineapple, in Spanish, after the pressed and strained juice used in the drink.
Where was the piña colada invented?
San Juan, Puerto Rico. Two bars there claim it, with dates of 1954 and 1963.
What's in the Piña Colada at Cantina Rooftop?
Our menu says: Tanduay gold rum, Coco López & pineapple purée. Tell your server about any allergies when you order.
How much for the Piña Colada at Cantina Rooftop?
$18 on our menu right now. See it on the full menu.
When can I order the Piña Colada?
It's on our drinks menu. Our hours: Tuesday to Thursday 5pm to 11pm (last reservation 10pm), Friday 5pm to 3am, Saturday 12pm to 3am and Sunday 12pm to 9:30pm. Closed Mondays. We're at 605 W 48th St in Hell's Kitchen. Book a table.